(Culture/Knowledge, Family, Country)
As Aboriginal people we cannot separate nakolak (culture/knowledge), moort (family) and boodja (country). These are three things that make us who we are and give us a sense of belonging and pride. This piece combines all three in a triptych, uniting them under one banner while also reflecting each individually.
Keeping connected to our nakolak, moort and boodja helps us to be resilient and strong warriors. It gives us a sense of pride and belonging. It is who we are.
- Langford Aboriginal Association.
The large tree in the centre which branches out represents moort. It's the Family Tree with its roots firmly grounded. The tree's roots show connection to our ancestors, our heritage and our history - boodja and nakolak all in one. It is where we come from, who we are, where we belong and how we are connected to boodja.
Each circle represents different moort, and the roots show the connection with flowing water. It runs through the tree roots representing life and reflecting growth running all the way up into the branches in the family tree. The trunk of the family tree reflects the knowledge that is held and passed on, when the time is right, to the next generations.
The branching out and flowing of the leaves over into boodja and nakolak represent the next generation growing up and having the knowledge passed on to them so they too can keep passing it down from one generation to the next. It reflects growth, strength and pride, and is the next generation keeping nakolak strong. The branches stretch out and over onto boodja and nakolak, bringing everything together along with the roots of the tree, making nakolak, boodja and moort one.
Moort circles at the bottom connect to the roots, with the leaves of the tree branching out and overlapping into nakolak and boodja as the new generations grow up. They are taught their moort history and all about their boodja and how they are connected to it from their moort - no matter where they go, far and wide, they are always connected to that boodja and its rich nakolak.
Boodja is represented throughout the painting with rolling hills, which also represent the songlines that are passed on from one generation to another. The community has left a thumb print on this section to represent different moort and connection to nakolak and boodja. Coming from different places on boodja they share their knowledge about moort, boodja and cultural connections, plants, animals, tracks, tools and figures, all representing parts of nakolak - hunting, gathering and dancing. The pink and purple represent the Women's meeting places, sacred sites, the blue and green are the Men's. Fire is represented as it is an important part of nakolak. It is used for healing cleansing with smoke. It is a place to gather for yarning, eating, sharing as well as for warmth and taking care of boodja.
Spirit faces have been placed in the stumps of the two outer trees. These represent our ancestors who look over us and our boodja. They protect our moort and give us direction on how to look after our boodja and keep our nakolak strong. They remind us to never forget our moort connections and to keep passing on our knowledge to the next generation. To always look after and stay connected to boodja by visiting boodja, practising nakolak and sharing stories, song lines, dance with moort, generation after generation, keeping our traditions alive.
We often like to meet under a shady tree and yarn. This is a place for moort to gather and share stories and knowledge. It is a place to gather and enjoy each other's company. A meeting place for all, big and small, for good times or bad times. This is represented by the meeting place under the central tree showing moort coming together. The meeting place and the tree have blue throughout which represents water, an essential part of life for everyone and everything. It is needed to encourage growth and helps heal the mind, body and spirit. It flows through the boodja and brings the flora and fauna to life, allowing hunting and gathering to happen throughout the different seasons. It is the giver of life. Keeping connected to our nakolak, moort and boodja helps us to be resilient and strong warriors, it gives us a sense of pride and belonging. It is who we are.